December Restaurant News

Fresh Food + Awards + Now Open

You might have seen him working miracles on 34th Street. He has appeared on rooftops all over the world. You may have even witnessed your mother kissing him! He’s fat! He’s jolly! He’s Santa! And he’s coming to town from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Dec. 22, for a Brunch with Santa event at Alexander’s Restaurant and Wine Bar. Take a photo of him next to the fireplace and then choose holiday items from a special buffet. alexandersrestaurant.com or 866-921-6639.

Have you tried Hilton Head Distillery’s new Bananas Foster Rum yet? If not, treat yourself to an early Christmas gift. Pick up a bottle at Roller’s Wine & Spirits or at HHD headquarters, where you also can take an interactive tour and see how the magic juice was made. For $15, you get one of four options — 6 neat samples; 4 neat samples and 1 cocktail; 2 neat samples and 2 cocktails or 3 cocktails. You can’t go wrong with any of those options. The best part is, you get to keep the shot glass at the end to memorialize your best day of the week. hiltonheaddistillery.com.

Fans of sought-after private chef Geist Ussery and SERG Restaurant Group will be happy to know the two have joined forces. Ussery has 25 years of experience in high-end catering, hospitality and event management. He has long been the go-to guy for locals in the know.

“My clients trust me and know that they can hand me the reins from start to finish and actually enjoy their event with their guests,” Ussery said.

Ussery is Bluffton native with a Caribbean family background. His heritage shaped not only his sophisticated palate, but his affinity for experimenting with Latin elements while infusing local Southern ingredients and modern techniques.

Alan Wolf, SERG’s director of operations, has high hopes for the partnership.

“Molly Kennedy and Andy Borgmeier have represented the dream team of event catering in the Lowcountry for over 25 successful years, and welcoming Geist to the team will allow SERG Catering to grow and become the premier catering company in the Lowcountry,” he said.

SERG Catering & Special Events offers a variety of creative options for events of all sizes. Learn more at sergcatering.com.

If you’re on the hook for hosting a sophisticated holiday gathering (and would rather not have your guest know where you live), Michael Anthony’s Cucina Italiana has you covered with three beautiful and private options. The upstairs private event room can entertain up to 55 people. For more intimate gatherings, the Italian Specialty Market offers a unique and rustic setting for as many as 20 guests. For even smaller groups, the Chef’s Table is a cozy setting for a group of up to 10. The restaurant also offers meal packages that can be dropped off or picked up. Meals include Pasta Night, Traditional Dinner, Italian Classic and Dinner at Nonna’s. You also can get hors d’oeuvres, dessert and wine packages or in-home catering service. michael-anthonys.com.

Learn how to break down poultry like a pro. Join Chef Josh and Chef Joe at Charlie’s L’Etoile Verte for their last cooking class of 2019 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Dec. 7 at the restaurant. They’re going out with a bang, planning duck a l’orange (fa rah rah rah rah!) and crème brûlée, two different ways. Double your pleasure, double your fun! The class size is 10-13 participants so you’ll need to act quickly if this is up your alley. The cost is $100 and includes a three-course meal with a glass of wine in the dining room, after you learn a few new kitchen tricks from the two culinary ninjas. Wine lovers should also note a $125 all-inclusive Sommelier Smackdown coming up at 6:30 p.m., Dec. 6, at the restaurant. charliesgreenstar.com.

Tis the season to eat poached tilefish, pan-fried pork cutlets and other fine dining favorites. The Lucky Rooster Kitchen + Bar made a seasonal switch to its sophisticated menu, adding all of those winter-friendly items and more. “Seasonal sourcing is really ingrained in everything we do at Lucky Rooster,” chef/owner Clayton Rollison said. Rollison also is bringing back his famous shrimp and grits, but this time with a seasonal twist. For fans of his cooking, it’s the most wonderful (and cost-saving) time of the year. Through the holidays, you can get a free entree with the purchase of a $100 gift card. There is also a dine-in special, where if you purchase two entrees, you receive a free entree on your next visit. Specials at Lucky Rooster Market Street in Coligny Plaza include free soft-serve for locals and free snacks with the purchase of a sandwich or bowl. luckyroosterhhi.com.

Sara Stowers is a natural therapy practitioner who, with the help of her husband, has begun an order-based meal prep business called Naturally Nourished Meals in Bluffton. All meals are prepared from scratch and are completely gluten free using real, whole-food ingredients that are well sourced (grass-fed, free range, wild caught meats and organic produce). They also offer healthy desserts that are naturally sweetened. getnaturallynourished.com

The old Scott’s Market location in Bluffton is now home to a unique destination for beer lovers. The Bluffton Trading Post is a gourmet market, casual cafe and beer emporium offering great beer, fine wines, specialty foods, unique gifts and more. They have 12 rotating beers on tap and an amazing selection in their beer boutique. Have a pint on site or bring a bottle, case or keg home with you. They are the home of the Bluffton Bold Beer Society. Their wine selection is a varied and eclectic mix of wines from around the world not found in your average wine store. Have it your way – by the glass, by the bottle, take it home, or give it as a gift in one of their logoed wine totes. The menu is fast casual with dishes that pair well with beer and wine. blufftontradingpost.com.

A new brewery is opening in Bluffton, officially making the Lowcountry a beer destination. This operation is going to be called Lot 9 and hopes to open its doors in January on Red Cedar Street near Old Town Bluffton. The founders of this new spot for suds are Dana Briggs and Walter Trifari. The two met during Hurricane Matthew and formed the perfect partnership. Briggs is the owner of a local storm protection company and loves beer. Trifari is a local brewmaster and was looking for a location to open a brewery. The two will open the brewery at Briggs’ Armour Building Solutions. Local contractors call it Lot 9, the inspiration for the name. Briggs and Trifari hope their brewery will bring good people together over the love of good beer. We’ll drink to that! lot9brew.com.

Tracy Owens has opened a new business called Pure Tracy 2.0. Owens is a private vegan chef who also offers cold press juice delivery, catering and vegan cooking classes. Reach her at 843-415-5854 or [email protected]

Fans of Nunzio Restaurant + Bar can learn to cook like head chef Nunzio Patruno through a series of 10 a.m. cooking classes at the restaurant. Classes cost $50 per person and include a farmers market tour, class instructions, recipes and a luncheon. Classes must be reserved and paid for in advance. For dates or more information, email [email protected]

A new ice cream shop has opened in Old Town Bluffton. Joe’s Ice Cream & Beverage Co. is located on Bruin Road. The pet and kid-friendly business is owned by Joe O’Rourke, who moved to the Lowcountry four years ago from central New York. He offers a variety of traditional and seasonal flavors as well as four wine-based ice cream options. Customers can choose from Cherry Merlot; Peach White Zinfandel; Chocolate Cabernet and Spice (a red mulled wine with cinnamon, nutmeg and clove). Each boozy flavors contain up to 5% alcohol (about the same as a light beer), meaning you must be 21 or older to try a taste. joesicecreambeverage.com.

Tiny Bites

If you love good breakfast, be sure to follow Palmetto Bay SunRise Cafe on Facebook to see their daily blue plate specials. They’ve been killing it lately with pumpkin spiced pancakes, blueberry and cream cheese stuffed toast and more. Also, be sure to mark your calendar for their upcoming New Year’s Day Pajama Party, which has become somewhat of a local tradition.

ELA’s on the Water is now booking holiday parties. The three stories of dining rooms and breathtaking water views of Broad Creek make for the perfect island location for your event for eight to 168 people. elasgrille.com.